High prevalence of oral HPV infection in Dutch gay men

HIV-positive gay men at highest risk

Michael Carter

Published: 07 May 2013

Oral infection with human papillomavirus
(HPV) is common among gay men, Dutch investigators report in the online edition
of AIDS. Prevalence was especially
high among HIV-positive gay men, who were also more likely to be infected with
the strains of HPV associated with a high-risk of cancers of the head and neck.

“This study demonstrates a high HPV
prevalence in the oral cavity of sexually active MSM [men who have sex with
men], and particularly in HIV-infected MSM,” write the authors.

They believe their research suggests that
HIV-positive men would be especially likely to benefit from HPV vaccination.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted
viral infection. Some strains of HPV are associated with an increased risk of anogenital cancers and also cancers of the head and neck
(oropharyngeal).

Rates of oropharyngeal cancers
are increasing, especially among gay men.
However, little is known about the prevalence of oral HPV infection and its risk
factors among gay and other MSM.

Investigators in Amsterdam therefore
designed a study involving 767 gay men, 41% of whom had HIV.

The study was conducted between 2010 and 2011.
Data were gathered regarding smoking history, a recognised risk factor for oral
cancers. The men also completed questionnaires about their sexual
behaviour.

Oral-rinse and gargle specimens were
analysed for the presence of HPV DNA. A highly sensitive PCR assay was used to
establish the prevalence of infection with HPV strains most associated with
oral and anogenital cancers.

The study participants had a median age of 40 years.
Overall, the participants with HIV were more likely to report risky sexual
behaviour. In addition, participants with HIV were more likely to report
smoking cigarettes and the use of cannabis and poppers.

Most (87%) of the men with HIV were taking
antiretroviral therapy, 78% had an undetectable viral load and the median CD4
cell count was 535 cells/mm3.

Overall, 40% of samples were positive for
HPV DNA. Prevalence differed by HIV status and was significantly higher among
the men with HIV (57 vs 27%, p < 0.001).

It was possible to genotype 24% of samples,
and prevalence was once again significantly higher among the men with HIV (39
vs 15%, p < 0.001).

A quarter of HIV-positive men had oral
infection with high-risk strains of HPV (25%). This was significantly higher (p
< 0.001) than the 9% prevalence observed in HIV-negative men.

Prevalence of infections with multiple
strains of HPV was also elevated in the men with HIV (15 vs 3%, p <
0.001), as was infection with HPV-16, which has been associated with an
especially high risk of oral cancer (5 vs 2%, p = 0.01).

HIV infection was also associated with
infection with an HPV strain than could be genotyped (aOR = 2.8; 95% CI,
1.9-4.2) and with infection with multiple HPV strains (aOR = 5.1; 95% CI,
2.5-10.2).

“HIV infection was strongly and
independently associated with oral HPV infection,” the investigators comment.
They suggest this could be because of “higher HPV exposure due to more sexual
high-risk behaviour…an increased susceptibility for HPV infection in the oral
cavity, and an increased HPV persistence due to immunosuppression.”

In HIV-negative men, older age, recent use
of poppers, a higher number of sexual partners and recent oral and/or anal sex
were all associated with an increased risk of oral infection with high-risk HPV
strains. However, after controlling for potential confounders, only older age
remained significant (p = 0.036).

Risk factors for infection with high-risk
strains for men with HIV included smoking (p = 0.002) and use of cannabis
in the past six months (p = 0.04). However, neither of these factors remained
significant in the multivariate analysis.

The investigators call for further research
“to assess the factors affecting the natural history of HPV infection,
including HIV, and the subsequent risk of developing HPV-related head and neck
cancer”.

They also suggest that vaccination against
HPV could be of value “particularly for HIV-infected men and others at
increased risk of HPV-related head and neck cancer”.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.